The change in guidelines when recording crime could contribute to increases crime rates

The number of crimes reported in Southport is on the rise - but Sefton police sergeant says these figures may be misleading.

According to Police.uk, there were a total of 665 crimes reported in Southport in March this year, a considerable increase on the 530 crimes reported in the town in March 2016.

There may be a reason for this, however, due to changes in the way crimes are being recorded.

Sergeant Andrew Dentith, from Merseyside Police, explained this at the Southport Area Committee meeting last night.

He said: “If a ball goes over the wall into the next door neighbours garden, and they refuse to give it back, and the police get called - changes in the reporting of crime now mean that incident would be reported as theft.”

Sergeant Dentith did admit, however, that burglary is a problem throughout Merseyside, not just in Southport.

He added: “Again, this is a difficult one as someone reporting that they heard a door handle move next door, even if they have not seen a suspect, will be reported as a burglary - and it may have just been the wind.”

According to Police.uk, however, the reports of burglary in the Southport area have dropped from 60 in March 2016, to just 54 in March this year.

There are currently 26 police officers working in Southport, one inspector, three sergeants, nine constables and 13 PCSOs.

Sergeant Dentith also stated that the rate of crimes in Southport are significantly less than other areas, including South Sefton, Liverpool and Knowsley.

He added: “Looking at the wider figures, Southport has the lowest crime rate and Southport in safe.”